Dental students are among the most intelligent people who deal with everyday financial woes. A majority of dental students are leaning on frugal living to reduce accumulated costs. There has been a steady decline of students opting to pursue a dental career because of the fear of dental school debt. And who could blame them – the average dental student graduates with nearly $300,000 in debt, a figure typically charged by premier learning institutions. Even in online forums, US students are nowhere near shy to disclose their amassed debt; they also give advice to aspiring dental students on how to carefully choose their schools.

Surely enough, with fortitude and hard work, students are able to complete write off their private loans in two to five years’ time of practice. Dental students who’ve lived and studied in the metro have a better grasp of real life professional spending. They also certainly know how to study harder than most people in different career paths, since a failing subject – or worse, an added year in study – can both defer dreams and increase unneeded debt.

A common advice given by successful dentists who’ve gone past these precarious financial problems is for present-day students to “loan the extra hundred grand” for these needed extras that will prove beneficial in university study:

1. Car – Owning a vehicle of your own not only reduces stress – it’s also practical for busy people whose productivity gets impaired by commuting. Dental students travel day-in day-out for various reasons: research, medical missions, unwinding, family retreats, etc.

2. Lodging – Many dental students hail from towns/cities that are too far from universities and some do not have any nearby relatives where they can stay in during their university tenure. University residences/dormitories are the perfect solution for studious busybodies. Though costly, the time to get up from bed, do morning rituals, get to the classroom, go back to the dorm to study is apparently hassle-free if all of it is done in the same building/campus street.

3. Computers, gadgets, data plans – Frugal living is far off the university student’s way of life. High-end electronic devices such as desktops/laptops, portable reading devices, and smartphones (w/ monthly data plans) are expensive, yes – but they are practical for learning, creating presentations, juggling resource-hungry learning software. Most students opt for more expensive brands, since feature-wise, these devices can take the load off any student’s shoulders. Smartphones have the feature to view DOC and PDF files, watch video clips (for saved webinars), and have the capability to act as a modem when tethered to a laptop. In the strictest sense, laptops and other gadgets may seem like a luxury, but for the majority of students who want to focus on their studies than rummaging the entire campus for available workstations and projectors – these devices compound to a better learning experience and reduced hassle when used properly.

But in reality, bad dentists (or dentists who rush their procedures without bearing in mind the implications of neglect) are frequent, especially crowded towns/cities. And, these dentists often share the same qualities of blatant local & online advertising for their services, but having no proven technical expertise in those areas. Newly practicing dentists often claim that they can perform “life changing” cosmetic dental procedures (e.g. veneers, braces, dentures, implants, full mouth reconstruction) for a fraction of what veteran dentists charge. But be warned: These dentists are in it for the initial inflow of money. When the time comes that you need seek recourse for a cosmetic procedure gone awry, they’ll charge you extra and waive any liabilities you may have against them.

Quality dental procedures often bear an expensive bill, and it’s no joking matter that people have lost a lot of money by going to a cheap-but-inept dentists, but wound up being purged of their hard-earned money for reconstructive surgery to correct what should have been a 100% success rate procedure if done by an expensive dentist. I’m not assuming that all dentists who charge cheap for their services are bad dentists – all I’m saying is that there have been awful cases of discount dental procedures that have borne life-threatening risks.

There are a number of reasons why professional, seasoned dentists charge expensive fees for their services:

1. State-of-the art dental equipment

2. Highly trained dental assistants

3. Accolades & key positions in the dental community and dental associations

4. Location of the clinic

5. Dental school they’ve graduated from

6. Competition

7. State-regulated fees

8. Social profile of clients

Some of the factors above, like the social profile of their patients, may sound ridiculous, but practically speaking – if a dentist has done a major procedure on a well-known person, they can raise their fees to substantiate for their equally popular status as a dentist to celebrities. Being a dentist to famous people means the former has a reputation to live up to, and high dental fees can attest to their experience in treating highly publicized people – who, by the way, demand utmost skillfulness to be done on their teeth.

So there you go. There’s a pretty good reason why some dentists charge higher than their colleagues – it may be due to the fact that they have a spick-and-span record on successful procedures or a widely revered cult status.

Follow these three simple rules before you decide on a dentist.

1. Ask – Seek the advice of people who have been treated by that dentist. As much as possible, consult those who have experienced the same condition as yours.

2. Research – Use the internet to find reviews about the dentist. There are a lot of online directory websites dedicated to collecting customer reviews for businesses in every industry.

3. Compare – There should be plenty of dentists in your locality. Collate customer reviews and ask for a quotation of each dentist’s dental services. Don’t jump the gun – you may regret impulsive decisions.

There are several organizations, such as United Planet (UP), DentalVolunteer, International Smile Power, Bridge2Aid (B2A), and Global Humanitarian Expeditions who encourage both young and seasoned medical and dental professionals to engage in a variety of public service missions, namely:

1. Online Teaching and Awareness Programs where dentists can share valuable research and information online to fellow dentists and blog readers

2. Local Community Building Programs and Dental Care Missions to get the community upbeat on proper oral hygienics

3. International Programs to educate and serve impoverished nations in Africa and Asia

4. Ad Hoc Disaster Relief Missions that provide persistent care to those stricken by natural calamities, wars, famine, etc.

Not long ago, only a few health mission organizations employed the aid of students. Nowadays – due to the increasing number of dental students interested in volunteer work and the incentives community work gives them – universities, youth groups and even families of the students urge students to enact their endeavors to help the local and global community. And, due to the expanding number of internet users and websites who share the same advocacy, it is now easier to contact these organizations regarding their upcoming activities and the possible admission to varying dental volunteering programs.

Dental volunteering programs can last for a few days in the locality to an entire year abroad. The interested applicant may also invite a number of classmates/colleagues to participate for a more team-oriented experience. Beyond the incentives, preparation, and roughened experience this gives dental students – volunteering programs also aim to give students and dentists a better outlook of the global situation, not to mention a solid grasp of culture that can only be acquired through personal interaction with indigent and/or impoverished patients.

However, international dental volunteering programs are not without their costs (although some missions offer free food allowance, travel, and/or accommodation). Since a majority of these organizations’ expenses are not subsidized by the government, the need for donations arises. A majority of goodwill comes from the volunteers themselves since some employees of these organizations also need to make a living.

Donation money is evenly dispensed through the different facets of volunteer work:

1. Travel Expenses

2. Food

3. Lodging/Accommodations

4. Workshops and Seminars

5. Medicine and Dental Instruments

6. Research and Development

7. Staffing

8. Building Improvements / Sanitation

If you believe in the spirit of community service, there’s no question that dental volunteering missions call for your immediate aid and expertise. Become a part of the growing community of awakened professionals and always remember to “give more than what you can take.”

The Chicago Dental Society, or commonly known by dentists in the US as the CDS, is nationally-revered dental association that represents all practicing dentists in the city. And unlike other city-wide dental groups, the CDS always wants it members to experience concrete benefits for their affiliation. The CDS hosts a multitude of informative, scientific dental meetings, seminars, and congregations aimed at improving the technical skill sets of dentists.

The CDS, unlike most dental associations, updates their blog daily on dental news, political punditing, and outreach programs dedicated to improving the health of the city’s residents and the dentists they represent. The blog also does its part in reminding its readers of the core values the CDS upholds:

* Professionalism
* Integrity
* Excellence
* Leadership
* Education
* Service

As a dentist in Chicago, it is imperative to have a tripartite affiliation with the CDS, American Dental Association (ADA), and the Illinois Dental Society (ISDS) as each club bears its numerous benefits. Dentists listed in each club’s respective directory makes them publicly recognized and become notified and prebooked in dentist-exclusive events, such as the renowned Midwinter Meeting, where dentists from different parts of America gather to learn more about dental advancements, meet dental suppliers, and get acquainted with dentists within the metropolis or in outlying towns/cities.

For students who wish to pursue careers in dentistry or dental assisting, there are several colleges and universities offering premier education suited for your idea of college budget. Two of the best are the University of Chicago and the University of Illinois at Chicago.

Student loans for Chicago dental schools are readily available for Chicagoans who cannot bear the burden of expensive dental school tuition, books, boarding expenses, and other miscellaneous costs associated with college study. Other private loaning companies also offer financial assistance to those whose families belonging to the average income bracket and are in need of low interest rates – but the application will entail a rudimentary financial and scholastic investigation if the student can live up to the loan or not. If the student still wishes to pursue a course in dentistry, but does not want to be covered in debt by the time he/she graduates, the government offers free partial scholarships to those interested in rendering their free service to the dental needs of the community before or after they graduate; however, there are only limited colleges and universities affiliated with this program of the government.

But the real question you’re begging to ask is: “How do dentists earn money?” Yet so many factors constitute to answer this broad question.

To start off, dental school is one of the most expensive career paths to pursue, especially in the United States. A lot of newly-practicing dentists are still paying off tens of thousands of dollars in college debt, and are also seeking ways to establish a name in the industry. So it’s very rational for them to charge their patients a high amount.

Newly-practicing dentists can earn around $60,000 a year if they can afford to start their own private dental clinic. On the other hand, dentists in public service or those who work in state and/or general clinics/hospitals also make a good living at around $70,000 annually, but nowhere near the $300,000 to $500,000 Beverly Hills and New York cosmetic dentists make a year.

Below is a approximated median salary bracket for the common areas of specializations a dentist can pursue:

1. Average Salary of a General Dentist - $130,000

2. Average Salary of an Orthodontist – $125,000

3. Average Salary of a Cosmetic Dentist – $150,000

4. Average Salary of an Endodontist - $170,000

5. Average Salary of a Periodontist – $175,000

6. Average Salary of a Prosthodontist – $145,000

7. Average Salary of a Pediatric Dentist Pedodontist – $140,000

Of course, dentists in metropolitan areas have the means to earn higher than dentists in small communities due to the vast population, employment rates, and not to mention the inclination of cityfolk to have their teeth cleaned, whitened, and/or corrected. However, dental competition in populous cities is very tough, and most dentists resort in a montage of publicity stunts just to get a better flow of customers. Dentists even offer free cosmetic services to famous actors and actresses to get recognized.

And apart from the services they provide, dentists are also known purveyors of dental whitening products, which can substantially increase their median income, basing on the keen interest of patients for at-home teeth whitening products.

Career-wise, being dentist is never a risky career path. Why? Because the number of dentists in the United States – which is close to 250,000 in 2009, according StateHealthFacts –  is barely enough to suffice to the growing dental needs of the proportionally increasing general population. And to prove this, we always see dental clinics packed with patients waiting in the foyer.

The only downsides to becoming a dentist are the academic fees and the initial cost of setting up a clinic. Other than that, dentists have it made for them. Dentists from India and the rest of Asia have been migrating to the United States in search for high-paying careers and good lifestyles to match.

Common ordeals children face, aside from bumps and bruises, are toothaches. Dealing with toothaches at an early age is apparently a vital part of growing and learning your lesson through experience: not eating too much sweets, avoiding fistfights, keeping your eyes on the road, etc.  That’s what makes toothaches a fundamental part of life. But some toothaches can be prevented… and how? Read on below.

Several factors cause toothaches in children, namely:

1.  Teething – the eruption of the first set of teeth, accompanied by swelling of gums.

2.  Dental decay – or also known as “dental caries”, is the bacterial deterioration of the enamel of the teeth until it penetrates through the dentin. The process is slow and excruciatingly difficult for some children. Dental decay is one of the understandable causes of toothaches in children aged five to twelve because they have the tendency to munch on a lot of sweets.

3.  Gum disease – gum inflammation that leads to periodontitis if not remedied early.  Though children are not as prone as adults to gum disease, studies show that the condition may be acquired from parents, and should be given attention once the child’s gums shows sign of: bleeding, puffiness, and recession.

4.  Loose tooth – usually happens when the milk teeth give way (or loosen) to the eruption of the permanent teeth or if an impact collision forces the tooth to be uprooted. A loose tooth, however, should be observed and not be taken lightly, as it can accentuate advanced gum disease in your child.

5.  Tooth trauma – or “dental trauma”, this condition is primarily caused by a broken or misaligned tooth. Specialized mouthguards for children significantly reduce the chance of getting a tooth pummeled.

6.  Dental abscess – albeit very rare in children, dental abscess may form in toddlers when bacteria or foreign material (most likely from earthen material or any porous substance) make their way into the gingiva.

7.  Pulpitis – dental pulp is the centermost part of the tooth, and once infected, it will most likely cause acute pain. Moreover, it is important to have a dentist extract a loose, broken or traumatized tooth to prevent the infiltration of foreign bacteria into the pulp.

8.  Broken tooth – commonly caused by accidents or landing front teeth face first into a hard surface, a chipped tooth can most likely be restored by way of a composite filling. However, the stakes are high that if a molar or cuspid is the one damaged, acute dental pain will ensue.

9.  Impacted tooth – usually takes place when the primary teeth (or baby teeth) are being replaced by permanent teeth. Impacted teeth cause pain and should be extracted if stuck on the gums or are at an awkward position. Having impacted teeth extracted early can lessen the chance of malocclusions in teeth.

10.  Gingivitis – chronic gingivitis is very common in children. Because children are less attentive to brushing than adults, their gums are more prone to swelling and bleeding.

11.  Periodontitis – if gingivitis is left untreated, coupled by vast accumulations of plaque, the condition may worsen and cause recession of the front teeth, followed by loosening, and finally, loss of alveolar bone.

12.  Sinusitis – inflammation of the sinuses can cause pain to the upper teeth. While dental pain is apparently inevitable, it is advised to frequently take decongestants and other medication to treat sinusitis.

There are basically three types of tooth discolorations, all factored in by age, eating habits, and other external factors:

1. Extrinsic discoloration – Whenever we drink fluids that have artificial coloring (e.g., wine, carbonated drinks, coffee, chocolate, juices, and syrups), the chemicals present in the coloring latch on to the surface of our teeth. Extrinsic discoloration is not only limited to fluids, but to eating preserved food and smoking as well. It is important to thoroughly brush the surface of our teeth and don’t let stains latch on overnight.

1. Intrinsic discoloration – This is caused by abnormally high amounts of fluoride intake. A number of cases have been recorded in the US wherein the children’s bodies were not strong enough to tolerate the fluoride that has been mixed with the water supply. The effect is a yellowish tint on the dentin of the tooth. It has also been found that maternal intake of tetracycline while pregnant may induce the offspring to acquire intrinsic discoloration, even without the presence of fluoride in the water supply.

1. Age-related discoloration – It’s quite often that we see our grandparents have a rather scary smile with the discolored teeth that they have. The human body will eventually lose its ability to fight off stains because of the weakened salivation of older people. This in turn, makes it easier to plaque and other forms of bacteria to build in and stain the tooth.

Note that there are also various tints of discoloration, especially with children – this is called dentinogenesis imperfect: a rare condition manifested by grayish to blackish discolorations of the teeth. This may go away when the permanent teeth erupt.

Tooth discoloration can be easily diagnosed by the dentist by just looking at the teeth. However, removal of stains require a carefully administered process called “professional cleaning”. If professional cleaning does not work (probably caused by permanent stains), the patient is given the option resort to bleaching.

Tooth discolorations may look superficial but the condition can actually worsen and may lead to plaque and eventually, tartar. It is imperative that one thoroughly brushes the teeth after each meal and more importantly, before going to sleep, because the stains and the bacteria do more damage if left overnight.

At-home whitening products can only do so much in removing stains and whitening the teeth. Some stains cannot be forcibly removed, as they may cause tooth abrasion, which is also another unsightly condition. If all else does not work, the dentist can administer “power bleaching”, which makes use of a light-activated bleaching gel that accelerates the whitening process tenfold. This effectively masks the stained surface of the teeth. Mind you, these advanced levels of whitening require several follow-up treatments in order for them to fully conceal the stains.

Now, the importance of X-rays or more formally called “radiographs” to dentists is invaluable. Major dental procedures require precise X-rays of the teeth and the jaw—and in some cases like TMD disorders, the entire skull. In the field of medicine and dentistry, radiographs have saved countless lives because it gives a clear purview of the problems in the skeletal system, which are obviously not normally seen by the naked eye. With X-rays, a doctor/dentist does not need to cut through the flesh to see any abnormality in the bone. X-rays procedures nowadays use less radiation. Before, one could only have an X-ray done once a year to prevent high radioactivity in the body.

But while we’re on the subject of dentistry, we’re going to look at the main benefits on X-rays to both dentists and their patients:

X-ray images reveal areas of decay inside the tooth and below the gum line. There have been a lot of cases wherein decay builds up deep inside a filling. To avoid gambling on which tooth is decaying from inside, a dentist may require the patient to get an X-ray procedure done on the latter’s teeth to make sure that he’s drilling the right tooth.

Moreover, X-rays will help detect areas of decay, cracks and sills in-between teeth that cause intolerable pain. People with intact teeth are impossible to diagnose if they have decay developing on the sides of their teeth. But through the help of X-rays, tartar buildup, cavities and tooth decay on the side of the teeth are easier to detect and multiple outbreaks can be prevented.

In serious cases of deteriorating teeth caused by periodontal diseases, the dentist will advise the patient to get an X-ray to know if bone loss has occurred.

People who are getting dentures, braces and invisalign must first get a radiograph of their teeth so the dentist can make the assessment if their teeth are anatomically fit for the procedure and if any hindering teeth should be removed in the process. Otherwise, teeth and gums have a high possibility of getting hurt in the installation of these devices.

Serious abnormalities like cysts, oral cancer, Paget’s disease, and lymphoma, though sparingly bone-related, require X-rays to know if they have spread throughout the mouth and outlying bones and cavities.

Children with history of tooth decay and weak teeth can be summoned for an X-ray examination by their dentist if the problem persists and to monitor the recovery of the teeth suffering from the decay. More importantly, children with malocclusions on their baby teeth are required to have X-rays to prevent impaction of erupting teeth so permanent teeth can normally facilitate the eruption process, paving a lower chance of malocclused teeth.

Dental X-rays procedures should be facilitated sparingly to prevent excessive radiation, which can cause permanent, encroaching damage to delicate body organs.

You’ll notice that a both newly-practicing and seasoned dentist always have dental assistant/s that are tasked to help them clean their tools as well as to accommodate patients in the waiting room. Being a dental assistant is no easy undertaking—some dentists are perfectionists and often hire mutually meticulous assistants in their office to safekeep both the dental apparati and the reputation of the dental clinic.

Being a dental assistant also means adhering to the strict standards set by the Center for Disease Control’s (CDC) aim to maintain a safe and infection-free environment inside the clinic for both the dental health workers’ and patients’ sakes.

In line with this, the basic and preemptive tasks a dental assistant is required to do are:

• Prepares/briefs the patient before a check-up or treatment is about to take place. The assistant is also tasked with filing the dental records of the patient and picking them out upon the request of the dentist.
• Be present inside the treatment room if the dentist requires help with the instruments and equipment.
• After a procedure, handles charting responsibilities and recordkeeping of patient’s history file.
• Also tasked with taking the blood pressure of a traumatized, ill or elderly patient.
• Cleaning, disinfecting and sterilizing surfaces, instruments and equipment inside the treatment room.
• Properly labeling chemicals, medicine and other instruments, as well as keeping track of the individual expiration dates of these items.
• Maintaining aesthetics and functionality inside the treatment room—because the dentist should not trip over or accidentally hit any instruments. Slip-ups may impede an ongoing treatment/operation.
• In cases of dental emergencies, the dental assistant, if not asked to be on standby, should keenly assist the dentist in treating/assisting the patient and should also be well-aware of protocols during these emergencies to avoid conflicts of interest with the dentist.
• Processes, exposes and helps analyze dental X-rays.
• Takes teeth impressions by administering the patient on how to bite a dental mold.
• Helps in instructing the patient about postoperative procedures and precautions.

Some states (like Texas) and other countries require the dental assistant to undergo a licensure examination for the latter to become a Registered Dental Assistant (RDA).

Presumptively, a dental assistant may be fresh graduate dentist who wants to gain firsthand experience on actual dental procedures before embarking in setting up his/her own dental clinic. Other dental assistants are sometimes relatives or close friends of dentists whom the latter can entrust their practice with.

Tongue piercings—as safe as they would possibly look to the endearing eye—are pretty much the same as having a syringe stuck in the tongue. The barbell-shaped studs pose health risks that may lead to serious complications if not immediately treated.

People wearing these piercings often play with them as they were some sort of candy. Constantly doing this can cause irreparable—if not costly—damages on their teeth, as the barbell-shaped stud, over time, pushes the front teeth (or the incisors) into a state of protrusion or misalignment. Though not certainly gruesome as one would rectify, getting pierced will not only make you look unpleasant, but would also turn you into a dental patient in the process.

These self-inflicted “gaps” and “protrusions” on the teeth that are being caused by metal piercings are a slightly different case from inherited protrusions and malocclusions.

Just this August of 2010, a 26-year old woman went to the University of Buffalo’s orthodontic clinic to complain about the large gap that developed in-between her upper front teeth. It took her 7 years to realize that her once beautiful set of teeth now looked like an eerie mess that may take three more additional years to correct. The cause? A barbell-shaped tongue stud.

Apparently, her story goes on as she was, in weeks, involuntarily playing with the studs for the next 7 years after she got them. Eventually, she noticed a large gap forming between her front teeth, but she kept toying with her metal stud until the gap became unsightly.

Dr. Sawsan Tabaa, DDS, the dentist handling the woman’s case, said “The barbell is never removed because the tongue is so vascular that leaving the stud out can result in healing of the opening in the tongue—“, additionally, she emphasized, “so it makes perfect sense that constant pushing of the stud against the teeth—every day with no break—will move them or drive them apart.”

The patient, who has been ill-advised on getting the piercings, is now wearing braces to correct the gap on her front teeth.

Additionally, Dr. Tabaa said “Tongue piercing can result in serious injury not just to teeth but has also been associated with hemorrhage, infection, chipped and fractured teeth, trauma to the gums and, in the worst cases, brain abscess.”

Now for those of you who are personally considering or know someone on the verge of getting body piercings, share with them this article—a life without body piercings is one way of drawing away from additional medical and dental bills.